CPT code 88368: ISH analysis, manual, initial probe2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Massachusetts
Reports manual morphometric measurement of in situ hybridization signals in a specimen, such as manual signal counting for tumor biomarker assessment.
Medicare pays $152.38–$169.58 for 88368 in the office in Massachusetts, from Rest of Massachusetts to Metropolitan Boston, MA. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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What 88368 covers
This service involves manually measuring or counting signals on an in situ hybridization preparation under a microscope. A pathologist or laboratory professional may perform the analysis as part of evaluating a tissue specimen; a familiar example is counting HER2 signals in tumor cells during assessment of amplification. The analysis focuses on the hybridization results, rather than simply preparing and staining the specimen.
Select this code for manual morphometric analysis of the initial single-probe stain procedure for a specimen. Documentation should identify the specimen and probe, support that the analysis was performed manually, and record the findings and interpretation. CMS recognizes separate professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff service, and an unmodified claim represents the global service.
This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.
Where 88368 pays more and less in Massachusetts
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Boston, MA | $169.58 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Massachusetts | $152.38 | Unavailable |
How the 88368 rate is calculated
Each of 88368’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.
How the rate is built · 88368
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.86
0.86 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense3.48
3.48 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.03
0.03 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
4.3700
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$145.96
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 88368
The CMS indicators that decide how 88368 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 88368
ISH analysis, manual, initial probe
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
88368 without 26 · national office
$145.96
ISH analysis, manual, initial probe
88368-26 · Professional component
$40.08
Pays only the interpretation and report.
88368 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 88365In situ hybridizationManual probe stain
- 88365 covers the in situ hybridization stain procedure; 88368 covers manual morphometric analysis of the signals. They may both be reported when both services are performed.
- 88367ISH analysisAutomated morphometric analysis
- Both codes cover morphometric analysis of an initial single-probe procedure. Choose 88368 for manual analysis and 88367 for automated analysis.
- 88369ISH morphometryQuantitative or semiquantitative
- 88368 is for the initial single-probe manual analysis for a specimen. 88369 represents manual morphometric analysis for each additional single-probe stain procedure.
88368 billing questions
How is this different from 88365?
88365 reports the in situ hybridization stain procedure. 88368 reports manual morphometric measurement of the resulting signals; report both when both distinct services are performed and documented.
When is 88368 selected instead of 88367?
Use 88368 when the morphometric analysis is performed manually. Code 88367 is the automated counterpart for the initial single-probe procedure.
What does the unit represent?
The initial manual morphometric analysis is reported per specimen for a single probe stain procedure. The manual additional-probe analysis is represented by 88369.
How should the professional and technical work be billed?
Use modifier 26 for the interpretation and modifier TC for the equipment and staff service. Without either modifier, the code represents the global service.
What documentation supports manual analysis?
Document the specimen, probe, manual signal measurement or counting performed, and the resulting findings and interpretation. The record should distinguish this analysis from the stain preparation itself.
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.
CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027
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